Troops kill Boko Haram’s spiritual commander in Borno

Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the killing of terrorists’ spiritual head of Gaita, Mallam Shehu, by troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK).

Some of the Amir’s foot soldiers were also neutralised during the troops’ clearance operation at terrorists’ Jaje enclaves in Mango Ali, Dissa, Balangaje of Borno State.

The Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed this, yesterday, in Abuja, while briefing newsmen on the activities and operational successes of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies as recorded in all the theatres of operation across the country between April 28 and May 19, 2022.

GOVERNOR Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has confirmed the presence of the deadly Ansaru, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the state.

The governor said, yesterday, the rising presence of Ansaru and Boko Haram terrorists in the state as well as their interaction with armed bandits was responsible for the attack on the Abuja-bound train on March 28, 2022 in which passengers were kidnapped.

According to El-Rufai, the terrorists were moving from the North East to the North West and recruiting young people from vulnerable communities across Kaduna.

He was speaking during the state’s security council meeting, where he received the quarterly security report by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

Expressing concern over the use of mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) by terrorists, he called for the establishment of a military theatre command in the South West region.

The governor disclosed that the terrorists were saying that Kaduna forests were better than Sambisa forest, from where they relocated. This he got from his classmate, who was among the train kidnap victims that had been released.

He added that the Ansaru and Boko Haram terrorists were re-emerging in Birnin-Gwari Emirate, a development that may not augur well for the continued peace and security of the state.

If the security situation is not adequately addressed in the volatile council areas, unscrupulous politicians can capitalise on the situation and disrupt the 2023 elections.

Aruwan reported that at least 360 people were killed through violent crimes and 1,389 kidnapped between January and March 2022, adding that Kaduna Central was the worst hit.

MEANWHILE, terrorists have released the lecturer, who was kidnapped alongside her daughter and driver, three weeks ago.
The Guardian gathered that the abductors released the lecturer after negotiation with her family, but her daughter, Amirah, and driver were still in captivity.

The trio was abducted on Kachia–Kaduna road, during the Ramadan fast, while returning from Mariri, Lere Local Council where she distributed clothes to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The Administrative Officer of Barkindo Rahama Initiative, Abdallah Abdallah, who confirmed the release of the lecturer, said after she regained freedom on Tuesday evening, she was taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical check.

Abdallah disclosed that she was freed after negotiation with the kidnappers, but failed to state whether ransom was paid to secure her release.